Elkarlan: FEVA and NABO

FEVA (NABO's counterpart federation in Argentina which is the home of the largest Basque community outside of the Basque Country) and NABO have for the first time initiated an effort to "build bridges" between our two federations and together share resources to fulfill are common mission of promoting Basque heritage. It is well understood that with distance, varied local interests, etc. the initiatives are limited. Nevertheless, a few things in collaboration could go a long way in benefitting both federations.

At the IV Congress of World Basque Communities(July 2007) both federations jointly stated an intent to explore some shared initiatives. The followup was a round of meetings for several days in Mar del Plata, Argentina at the "Denak Bat" Basque clubhouse (January 2008). Representatives of each federation meet to discuss some possible initiatives to bring to fruition. The following are proposals grouped around three themes that emerged from those rounds of meetings that each federation will then take back to its membership for consultation.

The President of FEVA (Mariluz Artetxe) and NABO (Mary Gaztambide) presenting at the IV World Basque Congress (July 2007) their intent to jointly explore some possible shared initiative.

The original areas of interest announced at the Congress were five areas of shared interest: confederation of world Basque entities, education, youth, Euskara & dance. At the follow-up meeting in Argentina specific proposals were then formulated.

NABO President Mary Gaztambide & FEVA President Felipe Eiheraguibel headed their respective delegations for the "First Encounter of Basque Federations of the Disapora" that produced some attractive possible initiatives of shared interests.

The Argentine-Basque gift to their nation-state is this sculpture of the Tree of Gernika situated in Buenos Aires.

NABO Follow up

The follow-up for NABO is to discuss these initiatives and came to a conclusion at our upcoming meeting in Salt Lake City (April 18, 2009). If the confederation initiative is accepted, then a NABO delegation would travel to Argentina (Oct. 2009) to participate in the creation of the confederation.

The hope is to sustain a consistent collaboration between NABO & FEVA. The proposal is every other year:
> 2010: FEVA comes to USA
> 2011: World Basque Congress
> 2013: NABO goes to Argentina
> 2015: World Basque Congress
> 2017: FEVA comes to USA (and so on)